National Republican., 1887-05-07
THE EVIDENCES OF GUILT
BEING TIGHTLY LINKED TOGETHER IN
THE HOUSE BURNING CASE.
Contradictory Statements Made by Miss
MoBride-Last to Leave House Berors
the Fire-yisiting Mcfarland Mt the
Jaii-Anxious to Secure the Dugan
Letter.

Detective Henry Raff resumed the giving
OF his testimony when the criminal court
opened yesterday and the trial OF Mary j.
Mcbride and John w. Mcfarland, charged
with house burning, was resumed. lie
related the result Of the investigations made
by him and repeated the statements OF
Mcfarland In regard to the preparations
made for the burning OF the house.
He declined to swear out the warrant,
and 1t was done by Assistant District
Attorney Shepherd. He considered that
he had made promises to Mcfarland to use
him as witness, and after what Mcfarland
told him he declined to prosecute him.
Mcfarland was put on the stand TO testify;
but the district attorney objecting TO that
course he was withdrawn. In regard to
the letter headed "Berkeley Springs, June
II, 1885," the witness stated that McFar-
land told him that 1t was written in his
presence, by the lady who wrote It, in
house No. bl5 Eleventh street, and given
him to show the person where the furniture
was stored that he had the right to control
1t. In answer to Col. Cook, the witness
stated that It was substantially true
that he promised Mcfarland he should not
be prosecuted II he would tell who fixed
up the plan for burning the Eleventh street
house. Mr.. Raft said that he made neither
offer nor promise to Miss Mcbride, and had
good reason for 1t. When he met Miss Nc
Bride after the fire at the house Of Mrs.
Martin she was very much excited, hysteri-
cal, and nervous; walked up and down
wringing her hands, saying, "Oh, my God |!
Oh, my God ~ lie asked her who left the
house first that morning, she or Mcfarland,
and she said that Mcfarland did. He then
af In, fh. ..,t,a..
she went out and she said no one. He
asked her II she was In the habit OF doing
that and said "No, | never did It before ia
my life and do not know how came to do
1t this time.n
Miss Mcbride was not under arrest at the
time the conversation took place, but was
watched by the police. Shortly after that
she was arrested, then quieted down con-
siderable and the hysterical demonstrations
ceased. In answer to District Attorney
Worthington the witness stated that Nc
Farland told him that he knew nothing
about setting fire to the house except know
ing 1t was to be fired, buying the turpen-
tine which was TO be used for that purpose,
and that Miss Mcbride was in the house
when he left 1t. Mcfarland told the wit
ness that the smell Of oil in the house be-
fore the fire was attracting attention apd
Miss Mcbride sent him for disnfectaht
perfume in the night, at the Ebbitt House,
to burn In the house to destroy the odor of
the oil.
Andrew Page, In charge of the elevator
at the Pacific building, testified that on the
morning of the fire Mcfarland came to the
building to put Mr.. Mannings room In
order, and left there about S:l5 o'clock.
Fergus p. Ferris, journalist, testified to
moving In the Eleventh street house at the
time OF the fire, but not being there when it
occurred. He saw Miss Mcbride at the
parlor door as he was passing out, and she
went back and closed 1t without speaking.
1t had been usual for this door to be open,
but three or four days before the fire It had
been kept closed. Shortly before the fire
he smelt something like burning oils,
which was very offensive, and complained
to, the nurse in his employ about 1t. This
and he was compelled to have the windows
opened TO get air.
Jos. d. Verney, against whom there Is an
information charging him, with Miss Nc
Bride, with trying to corrupt the witness
Mcfarland, testified that he went to the
Jail In September last with Miss Mcbride.
In conversation with her she wanted the wit
ness to see Mcfarland and ascertain
whether or not Mcfarland had letter
court at the preliminary examination, as
she wanted to get it. The witness and
Miss Mcbride went down to the jail, she
stopping about 200 yards outside. He saw
and went outside, met Miss Mcbride
on the hill, and told her that Nc
Farland did not have the letter, and
the witness said to her that he did not like
to go there any more, and she said she
would not ask it. Shortly after they were
arrested near the Jail by Detective Raft,
and at that time Miss Mcbride told the
witness to say nothing to Raft about what
they had been talking.
In answer to the questions of Mr.. TAYLOR
the witness admitted making a second visit
to Mcfarland In the jail, after a converse.
ton with Miss Mcbride In regard to the
Mrs. Dugan letter. Not being successful
he arranged for another interview at which
Miss Mcbride should be present. The two
went to the jail the ensuing Friday and had
q talk with Mcfarland. He wanted money
for the letter as his house rent was due and
he had no means of paying 1t. The witness
said thauneither he nor Miss Mcbride had
any money and could not pay for the letter. |
lie told Mcfarland that he was suspicious
Of some one listening or game being put
At the same time he arranged to come again
the following day. He did not want to 90
to the jail at all, but Miss Mcbride insisted
upon his going. She was not paying him
Tor his services, and 1t was all done for
sake, he having known Miss |
Mcbride about year and half. He did |
tell Mcfarland that he believed the latter
nit ,aa given ,no,s the whole thing away, and the
making proposition to Mcfarland for |
Miss Mcbride that II he would take the |
whole responsibility Of the affair she would |
)ay his salary while he was confined in the |
He denied ever making such
statement on her own account. lie did |
Tot tell Mcfarland that Miss Mcbride said
he would assume the whole thing she
would try and secure his pardon, but ad-
Mss Mcbride said II he would tell the truth
he would do what she could for him.
In answer to Col. Cook the witness stated
hat he had no authority from Miss Nc
Mcfarland.
On redirect examination the witness
tated that he went to the jail the first time
the instance of Miss Mcbride, and at the
asst visit she took him there.
John +. Shepherd, assistant district
ttorney, testified to prosecuting McFar-
md In the police court, on the charge of
lrceny preferred by Miss Mcbride. The
lrs. Dugan letter was In the court at that
me shown to Miss Mcbride when on the
illness stand, and she denied that the letter
'as In her handwriting.
Mrs. Harriet j. McMurray testified to
DING to the house on the Saturday before
ie fire to flta waist on Miss Mcbride, who
let her in the hall and declined to admit
er to her room. saying that Col. Tracey
as there at that time. About q week be-
IRE the fire the witness was In the house,
nd saw that the mating In the back room
ad been oiled, aud Miss Mcbride said 1t
as done to give II fresh look. The wit
ess replied that she had never heard OF
nat before, and said that 1t would burn
isy. She saw some yellow stuff on the
Dor, and told Miss Mcbride that she ought
have Mcfarland clean 1t up. Miss Nc.
ride said that II was put there for reaches.
hen the witness went into the back room
ere was only one chair and a lounge In It,
nd Miss Mcbride sent for a rocker aud
nall marble top table, and the witness "ran